Lawn mowerNot everyone grew up mowing the lawn to make extra pocket money. If you find yourself renting or owning a house with a lawn that needs weekly attention, follow these instructions to mow the lawn properly. If you mow correctly, you’ll prevent several common lawn problems, like weeds and diseases, from happening. Here’s how to mow the lawn the right way.
What You’ll Need
Lawn mower
Closed-toe shoes
Broom or leaf blower
Instant Green Thumb
The roots of grass plants grow in proportion to the plant leaves (grass blades) aboveground. When you mow the grass at the tallest height recommended for its grass type, you allow the grass to develop healthy root systems that can better withstand drought. Taller grass also out-competes weeds by shading the soil and preventing weed seeds from sprouting. Here are recommended heights for common grass types:
Bermudagrass: 1 to 2 inches
St. Augustine: 2 inches
Zoysia: 2 inches
Bluegrass: 3 inches
Fine Fescue: 3 inches
Step-by-Step
1 Set the mower height so that you’re mowing at the tallest recommended height for your grass type. Most mower adjustment brackets are next to the front wheels, but consult your mower manual for specific instructions for setting your mower height.
2 Prime and choke the mower. The primer button is a small, soft plastic button on the top of the mower. Push it five or six times. Set the choke to the “cold” engine setting. If your mower doesn’t have a choke, consult your manual for instructions.
3 While the mower is still on the sidewalk or driveway, hold down the safety lever at the top of the mower, set the throttle, and grab the starter cord. Pull the starter cord in a quick, jerking motion three or four times, until the mower starts. Once the mower is running, roll it over to the grass, slowly move the choke lever back to “warm,” and begin mowing.
4 Start by mowing around the edge of the lawn first. This will give you somewhere to turn the mower at each corner. If you’re using a bagging mower, move the mower back to the concrete or sidewalk and empty the bag. If you’re using a mower with a side discharge, point the discharge toward the area you have not yet mowed, so that you can chop the grass clippings as you continue to mow.
5 Continue mowing the rest of the lawn. One trick to making sure that your lawn remains green and smooth is to change the direction you mow. One week, mow parallel to your driveway, the next week, mow perpendicular to the driveway. This prevents the mower’s wheels from making deep ruts in the lawn.
6 While mowing each new row, place your mower so that it overlaps the previous row by 25 percent. By doing this, you make sure to cut the entire lawn evenly.
When you’re finished mowing, always empty the mower bag and blow or sweep off the top of the mower with a leaf blower or broom. Use the broom or blower to sweep grass clippings that have blown onto the sidewalk or driveway back into the lawn.
Success Tip
When mowing the lawn, always wear closed-toe shoes, such as tennis shoes. Never mow in flip flops. If the mower, particularly a power mower, gets away from you, you need to have something between your feet and the mower blades!
